Systems and methods for collecting fluid from a subject

Abstract

Systems and methods for delivering to and/or receiving fluids or other materials, such as blood or interstitial fluid, from subjects, e.g., from the skin. Beading disruptors and/or capillaries may be used for facilitating the transport of fluids from a subject into a device. Beading disruptors may disrupt the “pooling” of bodily fluids such as blood on the surface of the skin and help influence flow in a desired way. A capillary may conduct flow of fluid in the device, e.g., to an inlet of a channel or other flow path that leads to a storage chamber. A vacuum (reduced pressure relative to ambient) may be used to receive fluid into the device, e.g., by using relatively low pressure to draw fluid into the inlet of a channel leading to a storage chamber. The vacuum source may be part of the device and have a volume that is larger than a recess of the fluid transporter that receives fluid from a surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 77 . (canceled) 
     
     
         78 . A device for receiving bodily fluid from a subject, the device comprising:
 a fluid transporter comprising an opening configured to receive bodily fluid on skin of a subject, a surface extending from the opening, and a flow activator comprising a plurality of microneedles;   a storage chamber;   a first wall and a second wall protruding from and extending along the surface of the fluid transporter, the first and second walls configured to guide bodily fluid from the opening toward the storage chamber; and   a vacuum source.   
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 78 , further comprising an interface configured to draw skin towards the fluid transporter when vacuum from the vacuum source is applied to the skin. 
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 79 , wherein the interface comprises a suction cup. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein the storage chamber is removable from the device. 
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein the fluid transporter is part of a first module and the storage chamber is part of a second module, wherein the first module is removable from the second module. 
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 78 , further comprising an adhesive positioned on a surface of the device that is applied to the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein vacuum is created from the vacuum source manually. 
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 78 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a bulb. 
     
     
         86 . The device of  claim 78 , further comprising a support structure that is moveable mechanically from a first position to a second position, the plurality of microneedles being immobilized relative to the support structure, wherein the support structure is configured to bring the flow activator to the skin. 
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 86 , further comprising a button, wherein pushing the button causes the support structure to move from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         88 . The device of  claim 78 , further comprising a retraction mechanism comprising a spring configured to move the plurality of microneedles away from the skin. 
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 86 , further comprising a retraction mechanism comprising a spring configured to move the plurality of microneedles away from the skin, wherein the retraction mechanism is separate from the support structure. 
     
     
         90 . A method of receiving bodily fluid from a subject, comprising:
 placing a device for receiving bodily fluid from a subject on skin of the subject, the device including a fluid transporter comprising an opening, a surface extending from the opening, and a flow activator comprising a plurality of microneedles;   actuating the plurality of microneedles to pierce the skin and cause release of bodily fluid from the subject; and   creating a vacuum from a vacuum source to draw the bodily fluid from the subject through the opening into the device and into a storage chamber,   wherein a first wall and a second wall protruding from and extending along the surface of the fluid transporter guide the bodily fluid from the opening toward the storage chamber.   
     
     
         91 . The method of  claim 90 , further comprising removing the storage chamber from the device after bodily fluid has entered the storage chamber. 
     
     
         92 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the device further includes an interface configured to draw skin towards the fluid transporter when the vacuum from the vacuum source is applied to the skin. 
     
     
         93 . The method of  claim 90 , further comprising adhering the device to the skin via an adhesive positioned on a surface of the device. 
     
     
         94 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the plurality of microneedles are actuated by pushing a button. 
     
     
         95 . The method of  claim 90 , further comprising retracting the plurality of microneedles away from the skin after the release of the bodily fluid from the subject. 
     
     
         96 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the step of creating the vacuum from the vacuum source comprises creating the vacuum manually. 
     
     
         97 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein the vacuum source comprises a bulb.